# Pablo de Segovia — Pablo de Segovia, the Spanish Sharper character guide > Pablo de Segovia in Pablo de Segovia, the Spanish Sharper by Francisco de Quevedo. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Don Pablo, Don Pablo de Segovia, little Pablo, Paul, Paul the Sharper **First appearance:** 0001-pablo-de-segovia-the-spanish-sharper ## Snapshot A beggar's son turned ingenious sharper, Pablo narrates his own picaresque ascent through a Spain where wit is the only currency a poor man can counterfeit. ## Who they are Born to humble parents and shuffled between starving schools and cruel masters, Pablo learns early that survival belongs to the quick-witted. His charm and shameless adaptability carry him into the service of the wealthy, where ambition collides with the contempt of those above him. As narrator he shapes every episode with rueful irony, making his misadventures the lens through which the novel's satire of honor, hunger, and hypocrisy comes into focus. ## Relationships ### [Francisco de Quevedo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/characters/francisco_de_quevedo) _friendship_ Francisco de Quevedo is both the author and a character who interacts with Pablo as a companion and observer of his picaresque adventures. ### [Francisco de Quevedo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/characters/francisco_de_quevedo) _friendship_ Francisco de Quevedo is both the author and a character who interacts with Pablo as a companion and observer of his picaresque adventures. ## In the story ### [Quevedo and His Works](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/quevedo-and-his-works) The protagonist of the picaresque novel, described as a complete rogue, thief, and sharper who never pretends to be honest or seeks sympathy. ### [Pablo de Segovia, the Spanish Sharper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/pablo-de-segovia-the-spanish-sharper) Protagonist introduced with his family background and early life. ### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/book-i) The protagonist and narrator of the story, recounting his birth, family, and early adventures. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/i) Narrator and protagonist; born in Segovia, decides to go to school rather than follow his parents' criminal trades. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/ii) Narrator and protagonist; attends school, befriends Don Diego, and endures public humiliation. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/iii) Narrator and servant to Don Diego; suffers extreme hunger and plans to feign illness. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/iv) Narrates the events at the inn, feeling puffed up with vanity when mistaken for a gentleman's servant, and later curses the tricksters. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/v) Endures severe hazing and physical abuse from fellow students and the landlord, but resolves to adapt and survive. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/vi) Narrates his early knavish pranks in Alcalá, including killing pigs, stealing from the household, and tricking the housekeeper. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/vii) Receives news of his father's death and mother's imprisonment; decides to leave Don Diego and travel to Segovia. ### [My journey from Alcalá to Segovia, and what happened by the way till I came to Rejas, where I lay that night.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/viii) Narrator and protagonist, departing Alcalá after a life of trickery, amused by the madmen he encounters on the road. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/ix) Travels to Madrid, reflects on his parents' shame and his own pursuit of virtue, and encounters a mad poet. ### [The Proclamation Against Poets and the Journey to Cerecedilla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/x) Narrates the chapter; reads the proclamation and interacts with the poet, soldier, and hermit. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/xi) Narrator and protagonist; disgusted by his uncle's company, recovers his inheritance, and secretly leaves for Madrid. ### [Of my flight from Segovia, with what happened to me by the way to Madrid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/xii) Flees Segovia, hires a donkey, meets Don Toribio on the road, and is eager to learn the tricks of survival at Court. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/xiii) Pablo listens to the gentleman's tale, is entertained and instructed, and decides to adopt the tricks described, offering his friendship and money. ### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/book-ii) Protagonist; continues his journey and encounters new characters. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/i) Arrives in Madrid and is introduced to the rogues' way of life, observing their tricks and deceptions. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/ii) Narrator and protagonist; now a novice in the beggars' guild, learning their tricks and struggling with hunger. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/iii) The narrator, who learns the tricks of the sharping gang and is eventually arrested along with them. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/iv) Narrator and protagonist; uses bribery and a fabricated family connection to improve his prison conditions and secure bail. ### [How I took a lodging, and the misfortune that befell me therein](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/v) Narrates his lodging adventure, uses the alias Don Ramiro de Guzman, and schemes to appear wealthy to win the affections of his landlady's daughter. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/vi) Narrates his escape from the notary, his scheme to avoid paying debts, and his transformation into a gentleman to pursue a wealthy marriage. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/vii) Narrates his misfortunes after being beaten and robbed, struggling to maintain his disguise and marriage plans. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/viii) Pablo recovers from his illness, takes up begging in Madrid, learns the trade from Valcazar, and decides to leave for Toledo. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/ix) Narrator and protagonist; joins a strolling player company, becomes a poet and actor, then a gallant of nuns. ### [Chapter X: Of what happened to me at Seville, till I took ship for the Indies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/x) Narrator and protagonist; arrives in Seville, joins a gang of ruffians, learns their cant, and decides to sail to the Indies with La Grajales. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/characters/pablo_de_segovia - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/characters